Child Development for Early Years Students and Practitioners

Sally Neaum is a lecturer in Early Childhood, and teaches Primary English in initial teacher training. She has worked as a nursery and primary school teacher, as an advisor in early years and inclusion. She has an M.Ed in Educational Psychology and Special Educational Needs and her doctoral research was in the pedagogy of early literacy.

• Section 1: Early childhood context and policy1 Children and childhood: a historical perspective2 The current policy context of early yearsSection 2: Children’s development3 Holistic development4 Children’s development5 Development in the early years foundation stage6 Factors affecting children’s learning and development7 Understanding school readiness from the perspective of the developing childSection 3: Applying child development in practice8 Supporting children’s learning and development9 Observing and assessing children’s learning and developmentSection 4: Enhancing practice and understanding10 Reflecting on children’s learning and development11 Starting from the child: matching provision to children’s development and learning needs12 Thinking, questioning and challenging: a critical approach to the early years